Sunday, September 3,3 2023 - Day 246 - PERFECT PEACE

 

"I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen." (Luther's Morning Prayer)

Sunday, September 3,3 2023 - Day 246  - (Today’s Bible readings: Ezekiel 1; Psalm 63; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12)

PERFECT PEACE 

“You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.  Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord is an everlasting rock.” (Isaiah 26:3-4)

Knowing God gives us perfect peace - peace when we contemplate what is waiting for the believer at life’s end, and peace right now as we trust in Him no matter what our circumstances are!  

In commenting on Is. 26:3, Martin Luther wrote:  “This is the origin of peace, namely, hope and faith, as Paul says in Romans 5:1: ‘Since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God.’” (The Lutheran Study Bible, Concordia Publishing House, 2009, page 1129)

May the Lord bless you with His peace as you trust in the Prince of Peace who paid for all you peace-robbing mistakes (sins) on the cross of Calvary!

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,

It is well, it is well with my soul.

(Refrain:) It is well (it is well),

with my soul (with my soul),

It is well, it is well with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,

Let this blest assurance control,

That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,

And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

(Refrain)

My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought!

My sin, not in part but the whole,

Is nailed to His cross, and I bear it no more,

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

(Refrain)

And, Lord haste the day, when my faith shall be sight,

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;

The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,

Even so, it is well with my soul. (Refrain)

(When Peace, Like a River, Lutheran Service Book #763)

Heavenly Father, thank You for granting me the peace that comes from the forgiveness of my sins and Your promise of life everlasting. Yes, thank You for granting me faith in Jesus, my Prince of Peace.  Amen.

“See” you at the Communion rail this morning!

Pastor David Paape